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Cool Interview: Steve Fee

This week I had the privilege of interviewing my favorite worship artist, Steve Fee with the rock-worship band, Fee. I was first aware of Steve when they were an independent band and they led worship at our church. Phenomenal.

The band is now signed with INO Records; their debut album, We Shine, was released last fall, a re-release of the indi album of the same title.

Why does a marriage ministry/website interview Christian music artists? Great question. It's because we recognize the importance of spiritual intimacy in marriage — and worship can be an integral part of that intimacy. It is in my marriage.

Watch for the Steve Fee interview on Growthtrac and listen for excerpts on Growthtrac Radio.

Amy Grant Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Today, after selling over 25 million albums worldwide, winning numerous GRAMMY® Awards and countless other career milestones, Amy Grant has added a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to her list of career accolades.  With friends, family, industry VIPs and fans in attendance, Grant’s husband/country music star Vince Gill and founder of A&M Records Jerry Moss spoke at the September 19th ceremony, along with Johnny Grant, Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and Walk of Fame Chairman.  Grant’s Star is located on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Virgin Records store, next to John Travolta and movie legend Buster Crabbe’s Stars, and also just down the sidewalk from Billy Graham’s star. 

Upon her acceptance of the honor, Grant commented, ”I see all my family, co-workers and friends and I have to say, nothing happens alone.  Life is like a massive vessel, you don’t sail alone……It’s been an exciting ride!  Thank you.”

MercyMe on Leno

Did you catch it last Friday night?

Seven months to the day following their debut performance last December, MercyMe was welcomed back to The Tonight Show! (Very cool. A Christian artist appearing not once -- but twice on national television.)

They performed their hit single So Long Self  from their latest, best-selling & critically acclaimed CD Coming Up to Live.

>>See the Interview on Growthtrac

Chris Tomlin named Artist of the Year

Chris Tomlin named Artist of the Year During the GMA Music Awards

Chris Tomlin was named Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year last night during the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards.  Receiving five Dove trophies, Tomlin also closed the award show with his Song of the Year Dove Award winning, “How Great Is Our God,” from his current, RIAA Certified Gold-selling album, Arriving.   The song is currently No. 1 for the third consecutive week on the R&R Christian AC Top 30 monitored radio chart, and is Tomlin’s third No. 1 radio hit from Arriving. 

Tomlin received his first Dove Award last year for Worship Album of the Year for Arriving. His awards this year follow:

--Artist of the Year
--Male Vocalist of the Year
--Song of the Year (“How Great Is Our God”)
--Worship Song of the Year (“How Great Is Our God”)
--Special Event Album of the Year (Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe)

Behind the scenes with Rebecca St. James

Behind the Scenes video footage with Rebecca St. James recording an acoustic version of her new single, "You Are Loved".

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Michael W. Smith

Interesting with the release of the new movie for Michael W. Smith (a God centered movie for the family) that there has been negative press from his Larry King Live interview.  As you read through the transcript, you'll see that Smitty talks about a drug addiction he had almost 28 years ago and how God removed this addiction from him.  He no longer struggles with this in his life.  But, from the media, you get the impression he's still addicted to cocaine and other drugs.

GT had the opportunity to interview Smitty last year. He's one of the most down-to-earth, gracious and humble men GT has had the opportunity to speak with.

http://www.growthtrac.com/artman/publish/article_600.php

http://www.growthtrac.com/artman/publish/article_601.php

You can read the Larry King Live transcripts at:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0602/10/lkl.01.html

BTW, if one of our brothers in Christ was struggling with an addiction, shouldn't we be praying for him rather than convicting him and throwing stones??

Annual GMA Music Awards

Chris Tomlin leads with 9 nominations; David Crowder Band, Natalie Grant, Joy Williams and Reliant K earn 6 nods each.

Nominations were announced today for the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards (www.gmamusicawards.com) by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) with several new faces leading a field that features a strong showing by praise & worship and pop/rock artists. Nominations for the Dove Awards were announced at the Hilton Nashville Downtown in Music City by GospoCentric artist Kirk Franklin and ForeFront Records’ Rebecca St. James, both of whom earned Dove nominations today and will host the GMA Music Awards show on April 5, 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The awards show will then be televised in national syndication April 15 to May 21, 2006.

Artist of the Year nominee Chris Tomlin and Group of the Year nominee David Crowder Band (both sixstepsrecords) lead the field of nominees with nine nods and six nominations respectively, proving modern praise & worship music is still going strong. Coincidently, both artists were pictured on the recent cover of the January issue of CCM Magazine, featured for their music’s influence in the “Passion” collegiate worship movement.

Female Vocalists of the Year nominees Natalie Grant (Curb Records) and Joy Williams (Reunion Records) helped to bring women back to the top of the Dove nominees with six a piece, while rock band Relient K (Gotee Records) also earned six nods thanks in part to its cross-over success in the last year.

Several of 2005’s biggest Dove Award winners returned with five nominations, including Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Crabb Family and Israel Houghton. BarlowGirl and Third Day rounded out the field of artists with five nods a piece.

More on the Growthtrac Music Channel

MercyMe to Perform on the Tonight Show

Tune in Wednesday, December 21st

The band will peform “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” from their best-selling Christmas CD,  The Christmas Sessions

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is taped live and airs nationwide at 11:30pm ET on NBC.

The Growthtrac Music Channel

Chris Tomlin First Live Recording

Listen to a sample!

Okay. First my standard "why-we-talk-about-Christian-music-in-a-marriage-blog" disclaimer.   Christian music is one of several sprititual intimacy elements that can make a difference in your marriage. It will draw you together... and closer to God.

Chris Tomlin will release his first live recording Dec. 26, Live From Austin Music Hall. Tomlin recorded the new album Sept. 18 in his hometown of Austin, TX along with thousands who came for an evening of worship at the famed Austin Music Hall. The album consists of such CCLI chart favorites as “Forever,” “Famous One,” and “Kindness,” as well as a brand new live version of “Indescribable” with Tomlin playing piano. “Indescribable” is the first No. 1 hit off the 400,000-plus selling, award winning 2004 release, Arriving.

Joining Tomlin on stage for the Live From Austin Music Hall recording were special guests and fellow Texans: collegiate favorite and label mate David Crowder, singer/songwriter Cary Pierce, formerly of Jackopierce (co-wrote “Unfailing Love” with Tomlin), and Austin-based blues singer Seth Walker. Also joining Tomlin on stage was Arriving producer, Ed Cash.

Recording the album before a packed Austin Music Hall, over 5,800 people came to worship with Tomlin while 2,000 had to be turned away after the hall filled to capacity and beyond. “Even if it was just one, I would have felt bad, but the venue said they turned away at least 2,000. 2,000! I could not believe it,” reflects Tomlin. "Needless to say, the crowd of worshipers was everything I could have hoped for. I am now just hoping that we captured on tape what was going on in the Hall. I was so encouraged to see how God is at work in my hometown, Austin.”

The Growthtrac Music Channel

Music

I had a chance to listen to the new Casting Crowns, Lifesong recently.  There is a particular song that I had to hit "replay" on several times called Praise You In This Storm.

When life gets us down and hands us horrible circumstances we often look to God with anger rather than praise.  That's what struck me about the lyrics of this beautiful song. I need to praise God not only when things are good in my life but also when I'm traveling through some tough obstacles as well.

Music draws me closer to God on a daily basis.  Sometimes when it is difficult for me to pray or even pick up my bible and read, the words provided through worship and praise music lift me up and draws me closer to God.  Listen in the bathroom in the morning, listen in the car, listen in the kitchen - turn off the TV and listen.  He is still there in the midst of our turmoil - words/praise/worship and prayer through music can say the words we cannot speak to Him ourselves.

Praise and worship music is just one more way I find to connect to God, my husband and my family.  It brings us intimately closer when my words are not enough to comfort those I love.  Take a good listen, then a second one.  I believe you will love Praise You in This Storm as much as do.

See the Growthtrac Music Channel